“The old myths of Creation refer not to some fictitious event in 4004 B.C., but to something that we can do right here in this body. The imagination is our true self, and is in fact the living, creating god within us. The myths of resurrection refer not to the undoing of physical death but to a transformation we can effect right now, a rebirth into Self.”

- Stephen Nachmanovitch, from Free Play

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Guess what, my dear? You have a body. You have an imagination. And therefore you are the artist of your life and have the power within you to recreate your reality.

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I tell you this today because I almost forgot it last week. Post-hurricane, post-dance-performance, post-Friday, I was in a funk and felt useless, trapped, and stuck in a frustrating reality. Instead of being out in the world, I was glued to my couch, drained and lifeless and barely able to watch the marathon of romantic comedies that danced on the screen before me.

Oof. Not pretty.

But then I did something that shifted my reality. I texted a friend. She happened to be dropping off donation items in my neighborhood and stopped by. Throughout our chatting that evening, I was reminded of who I was and what I needed to do in the world. We allowed ourselves to rest in each other’s company while also inspiring and motivating one another to continue on with our work and goals. She upheld my vision for me when I couldn’t.

When I really think about it, many of the big leaps I’ve taken in my creative life have been influenced by supportive friends who were able to see for me what I couldn’t yet see for myself. (You know who you are. Thank you.)

In the creative process, we will spend periods of time in a murky cocoon before the breakthrough comes, and it's not always pretty. Therefore, it's crucial to have people around you that can help you see beyond the mess and remind you of the beauty that's to come when you break free of the shell.

So this week, let me be that person for you.

Know that:

There is darkness before light.

You will stumble before you soar.

Like sandy coast-lines covered by the high tide, you will be doused in water unable to breathe or see anything before the tide recedes.

In these moments when you lose sight, call up support to help you un-fog the mirror. You might be surprised to find an even brighter version of yourself smiling back.

Today marks the 9-month anniversary of this blog, as well as the 9th Creative Fridays Workshop of the year. As such, it’s a rebirth for me and a rebirth for you. (Even if you haven’t been following for all that time, I have a feeling we were still connected ;)

When I started writing to you in February, I didn’t quite know what I was doing, other than sharing a bit about my own creative journey in the hopes that it would help you on yours. I still don’t really know what I’m doing, and in many ways still feel like I'm wrapped in the cocoon, but I’m on the same mission and feel clearer about what I have to give. Not only have these 9 months birthed new dance creations, a new website, and new creative partnerships, but they have also birthed new offerings that I can share with you.

Before I tell you more, there’s something you must do. Especially if you haven’t done it before, please share something. Here. It could be a bit about your creative dreams, a poem or a video you created, a declaration of your truth in whatever form that wants to come forth. Just scroll down to the big white open space at the bottom of this post which is all yours to fill.

I take your dreams seriously. If you choose to share, I promise to hold them dearly along with you and then shower them in happy-dances until they come alive.

Which brings me to my next piece of news:
There are now more ways I can support you and your dreams. Check them out here, and if you have the slightest inclination that I might be of service to you in deeper ways, you can follow the link there to set up a time to talk with me. It doesn't matter where in the world you live.

To sum it up, I wish you a happy birth-day, I thank you for keeping me company here, and I invite you to get your dancing shoes ready because we’ve only just begun.